Rebels gave Dhumal tough time in HouseShimla, March 16
The seven rebels of the ruling BJP have caused more embarrassment to the Chief Minister, Mr
P.K. Dhumal, in the Vidhan Sabha than the opposition Congress to which they had provided a lot of ammunition by raising the banner of revolt on the issue of alleged corruption and nepotism against their own government on the eve of the Budget session.

Medical officers’
strike todayMandi, March 16
The Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association today warned the state government that the non-implementation of its agreement dated December 15, 2000, could result in paralysing the health services throughout the state.

Nadaun in need of
faceliftNADAUN (Hamirpur): Located on the left bank of the Beas, this historic and religious town of Himachal Pradesh that was once the capital of the Katoch rulers of the Kangra hills is crying for a facelift.

Procession by anganwari
workersHamir, March 16
Hundreds of anganwari workers took out a procession through the main bazar here in support of their demands. Mr Kashmir Singh Thakur, the state general secretary of the CITU, led the
processionists.

Educated job seekers on the
riseHamirpur, March 16
The number of educated but unemployed youth is fast increasing in the district. The total number of unemployed youth in the district that was just 3,240 in 1972 has crossed the alarming figure of 73,621 by December 31 last year.

VC accused of telling lieShimla, March 16
The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Association had accused the Vice-Chancellor of supplying false and incorrect figures regarding promotions under the career advancement scheme and has asked him to desist from confrontation with the teaching community.

Vigilance probe into
irregularities markedShimla, March 16
The state Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, has said those found guilty in the alleged irregularities in purchases by the Health Department would not be spared.

Nationalist Youth Cong office-bearersKulu, March 16
Ms Renuka Dogra, president of the state unit of the Nationalist Youth Congress, a wing of the Nationalist Congress Party, released the second list of its state office-bearers and district presidents here on Tuesday.

Jobs for wards of dam oustees soughtChamba, March 16
The Chamera Dam Oustees Welfare Committee has flayed the indifferent attitude of the Himachal Pradesh Government towards the left-out families whose land and houses had been submerged in the Chamera dam and were still a waiting rehabilitation.

Class X English paper cancelledDharamsala, March 16
The Himachal Board of School Education has decided to cancel the examination of English paper of Class 10 at its examination centre at Government Senior Middle School in Nalagarh.

Probe into bus mishap
soughtChamba, March 16
The Chamba Welfare Association has demanded a probe into a recent bus accident which occurred near Bharmour township in Chamba district killing 46 passengers.

Liquor vend auction
fetches Rs 13.29 crUna, March 16
The new system of the Excise Department to invite tenders for the auction of liquor vends failed yesterday when not a single contractor filed a tender to bid for the vends.

Declare state as
drought-hit: CongressShimla, March 16The Congress has urged the government to declare the entire state as drought-hit and make arrangements for supplying fodder for cattle to farmers.
In a statement issued here today, Mr Rangila Ram Rao, MLA, and chief spokesman of the PCC, said there was a famine-like situation in the state because of the drought.

Rebels gave Dhumal tough time in HouseS.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 16
The seven rebels of the ruling BJP have caused more embarrassment to the Chief Minister, Mr
P.K. Dhumal, in the Vidhan Sabha than the opposition Congress to which they had provided a lot of ammunition by raising the banner of revolt on the issue of alleged corruption and nepotism against their own government on the eve of the Budget session.

The Vidhan Sabha adjourned for 10 days recess yesterday when the rebels left for Delhi to renew their efforts to dislodge Mr Dhumal and also Mr Narendera
Modi, general secretary of the party.

The session of the Assembly, which started on March 1, has, so far, seen many fireworks which were based on the serious allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism levelled by the rebels against the Dhumal government.

All this has put Mr Dhumal on the receiving end as he has so far adopted a low profile on the issue instead of hitting back on the rebels or the opposition.

Most of the leaders of the Congress have made it clear that they were not interested in creating instability in the state, but have not approved the manner in which the rebels were virtually holding the government at ransom for the past over a fortnight which has stalled the normal functioning of the administration.

The rebels have so far stuck to their decision of boycotting the proceedings of the House and have only been marking their attendance and sit in the lobby.

The Congress leaders have been quoting the allegations which these rebels have made against the government. The CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, said that most of these allegations were listed in the “charge sheet” which the Congress had presented to the Governor against the Dhumal government. The allegations by four ministers and three legislators of the BJP have only strengthened their “charge sheet”.

It is being said that the factionalism in the Congress was preventing its leadership from launching a direct attack on Mr Dhumal. None of the faction was sure of what shape the Congress high command will give to the set up here in case the BJP government was pulled down. Although Mr Virbhadra Singh enjoys support of a majority of the Congress legislators, but with Mrs Sonia Gandhi taking over the reins of the party, Mrs Vidya Stokes, PCC chief, has also become a contender for chief
ministership.

Some of the rebels are reported to have established contact with certain Congress leaders. But the numerical strength of each party in the Assembly was not worth providing a stable alternative government.

There were reports that Mr Dhumal has been meeting a particular section of the Congress leadership to ensure that his Budget was passed on March 28 without any hurdles as the attitude of the seven rebels and Mr Mohinder Singh, unattached member, was yet to be seen.

The “tehelka” videos of the BJP chief, Mr Bangaru Laxman, accepting money for alleged defence deals has further put the BJP government here on the defensive as this provided an opportunity to the Congress to renew its criticism of the BJP. Mr Dhumal, however, described it as a conspiracy and said in the Assembly that the BJP could not be considered as a party of super-human beings. The BJP was a part and parcel of the society.

The rebels were hopeful that the developments at Delhi would strengthen their case as Mr Bangaru Laxman had outrightly rejected their plea for dislodging Mr Dhumal.

What tactical mistake the rebels did was that instead of taking their grouse in the party forum, they directly plunged in the public against their own government. The BJP high command took a serious view of this.

Following intervention of the RSS, the rebels have postponed their plan of directly thrashing the government by raising their grievances in the Assembly.

But the prolonged
statement is not being relished by the people here who want that things should be settled either way by the rebels or the party leadership and the uncertainty removed once for all. It is now since November last, when the rebels first struck, that normal functioning of the government has not been restored.

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Shanta Kumar, has denied his hand in the current turmoil, but even then people are taking his claim with a pinch of salt as all the seven rebels were considered his loyalists who were keeping the pot of revolt boiling in the state.

Mandi, March 16
The Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association today warned the state government that the non-implementation of its agreement dated December 15, 2000, could result in paralysing the health services throughout the state.

Briefing mediapersons here today the state general secretary of the association, Dr Jiwa Nand Chauhan, said a strike would be observed tomorrow in protest against the government’s violation of the agreement signed between the Secretary Health and the association.

He said under the agreement the government had to notify the accepted demand of the association by December 22, 2000.

Mr Chauhan regretted that even assurances given by the Chief Minister and the Health Minister to the members of the association at Dharmsala on February 12 had not been fulfilled so far.

He said the government had violated yet another clause of the agreement whereby the government was not bound to take any major policy decision without consulting the association. He said the recent decision of the government to withdraw non-practising allowance and allow doctors to do private practice was a violation of the agreement.

Describing the decision as unfortunate, Dr Chauhan lamented that it would not only encourage malpractices but also result in deterioration of health services in the state.

Mr Chauhan said doctors from the state had earned appreciation from the WHO and national agencies for rendering best services to the people. The new decision would reverse the process and would affect the health services, he said.

NADAUN (Hamirpur): Located on the left bank of the Beas, this historic and religious town of Himachal Pradesh that was once the capital of the Katoch rulers of the Kangra hills is crying for a facelift.

The town, on the Hamirpur-Dharamsala highway, derives its name from a demon, Nanda. Pandit Shri Khand was instrumental in the killing of the demon, providing relief to the people of the area.

The town is the headquarters of Nadaun subdivision. It has a degree college which is located away from the main town on a bank of the Beas. A new complex of the college is coming up near Harmandar village. There is also a hostel for hockey players being run by the state government.

Forts from the days of the Katoch dynasty are in bad shape. Descendants of the Katoch rulers who live there have not opened these to tourists.

The town lacks the sewerage facility. The state government had recently approved a proposal for providing this facility and work on the project is likely to start soon.

Sanitation is also poor. There is a shortage of safai karamcharis which cannot be overcome at present in view of the government’s ban on fresh recruitment.

This area is known for its trade, mainly in kiryana items and foodgrain. As the prices of many items here are lower than in other areas of the district, people from various parts of Hamirpur,
Una, Mandi and Kangra districts come here to make purchases.

There are a good number of temples. Lord Shiva is worshipped by people. The town is famous for two big temples of Lord Shiva and thousands of devotees visit these every day.

There is also a gurdwara on the outskirts of the town founded by Guru Gobind Singh. Devotees in large numbers visit it every year.

The bus
stand, on the highway, is small and presents a congested look. Stray animals can often be seen in the complex. There is need to expand the bus stand to cope with the increasing number of vehicles and passengers.

Residents have
sought, among other things, the drawing up of a master plan for the town to ensure its proper maintenance and development.

Hamir, March 16
Hundreds of anganwari workers took out a procession through the main bazar here in support of their demands. Mr Kashmir Singh Thakur, the state general secretary of the CITU, led the processionists.

Carrying placards in their hands, they shouted anti-government slogans and held a massive demonstration at the Gandhi Chowk.

They handed over a memorandum to the district administration, seeking the regularisation of their services. Mr Thakur alleged that the state government was resorting to anti-employee stance by handing over the control of anganwari workers to gram panchayats. He said in Changer gram panchayats of this district pradhan had served a notice on an anganwari worker, dismissing her from service. The state government wanted to dismiss existing workers and appoint some others through the gram panchayats, he alleged.

He said they would gherao the state Assembly on April 18 if the order was not withdrawn. Hundreds of anganwari workers from all parts of the state would take part in the procession, he said.

Mr Thakur demanded pay scales on a par with JBT teachers. He said till the regularisation of their services, the workers should be paid dues at the rate of Rs 2,000 per month and the helpers Rs 1,200 per month.

The CITU leader also blasted the Central Government for adopting on anti-women policy.

Shimla, March 16
The Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress today burnt effigies of Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee and Chief Minister Prof P.K. Dhumal and sibmitted a memorandum to the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

The memorandum was addressed to the President of India and a procession organised in the town. The Youth Congress activist also at a press conference, Mr Naresh Chauhan said that the “corrupt” government should be dismissed and the Youth Congress would organise rallies in the state.

Mr Sudhir Azad, general secretary, said that the state government had done nothing for the common people in the new Budget. Farmers and unemployed youths will be the main sufferer in this new Budget.

They alleged that the state government was busy in party feuds and not doing anything for the state. Drought has hit the people at large but the state government is fighting for their survival.

Hamirpur, March 16
The number of educated but unemployed youth is fast increasing in the district. The total number of unemployed youth in the district that was just 3,240 in 1972 has crossed the alarming figure of 73,621 by December 31 last year.

Hamirpur is cent per cent literate district and women outnumber the men as far as population is concerned.

The population of the district that was 3,46,422 as per 1991 census was likely to cross 4.50 lakhs according to the Department of Health and Family welfare.

A study shows that the total number of male job seekers is higher than the females. While there are 50,429 males are on the registers of various employment exchanges, it is 23,192 in respect of females. As many as 44,992 new persons got themselves enrolled in the district in various employment exchanges during the last three years alone. These include 17,000 females.

Among job seekers, majority are either matriculate or plus two pass. Most of them have applied for Class III and Class IV jobs.

The number of highly educated job seekers like engineers, diploma holders, lecturers, teachers is also big.

The study further shows that 1601 youth of the district got government or semi-government jobs as against 942 during last three years of the BJP government in the state. The number of persons who were sponsored by various employment exchanges for the jobs was around 17,000.

Though it is the home district of the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, the state government has failed to open new industrial units. No major, medium or small-scale industries had come up here since year 1972.

Every year, various schemes for the unemployed youth are announced and interviews are held for giving them loans. However, most of the youth fail to get loans due to cumbersome procedures adopted by the banks.

A number of youth alleged that they failed to get the sanctioned loans from the banks as they were unable to provide guarantees or pledge their lands with the banks as they were not having that much land as per the requirements of the banks. They now to work as daily wage despite being highly educated and some of them are even graduate engineers and diploma holders.

The Himachal Pradesh Government has now opened an office of the State Subordinate Services Selection Board here for providing Class III and Class IV jobs. The office has done a commendable job but with limited job avenues it was not possible for the board to satisfy all job seekers.

There is need to open more industrial units and banks should re-frame their procedures regarding sanctioning of loans.

Shimla, March 16
The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Association had accused the Vice-Chancellor of supplying false and incorrect figures regarding promotions under the career advancement scheme and has asked him to desist from confrontation with the teaching community.

In a joint statement here, Dr Rajinder Singh Chauhan and Dr
S.L. Kaushal, said that an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the HPU Teachers Association was held today when the statement of the VC regarding the demands of the teachers was strongly refuted.

They claimed that no interviews for various categories under the career advancement scheme were held, except one or two departments. Not to talk of interviews, even the pay anomalies have not been settled despite the written agreement and repeated assurance of the VC.

Shimla, March 16
The state Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, has said those found guilty in the alleged irregularities in purchases by the Health Department would not be spared.

Referring to the allegations of the Opposition leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, against the Health Department regarding certain purchases made by it through Super Bazar, New Delhi, he said an enquiry by the Vigilance Department had been ordered into these purchase.

Mr Nadda said Mr Virbhadra Singh had confused the issue by mistaking audit memos to be audit reports.

He said Mr Virbhadra Singh, who himself has been Finance Minister for a long time, would know that such memos were issued during the audit by the concerned team. These memos are attended to by the concerned head of department and office. In case the audit party is not satisfied then all these memos are consolidated in the AG office for preparing audit report.

He said these audit memos were prepared during the conduct of a special audit which was orderd on a special request of the government to the Accountant-General. The special audit was started in November, 2000, and continued till February, 2001. Discussions on this have concluded only in February 2001. Audit report is still awaited.

Once this audit report is received, immediate action shall be taken and those found guilty shall not be spared. He said a vigilance enquiry relating to the purchases was also being conducted.

Kulu, March 16
Ms Renuka Dogra, president of the state unit of the Nationalist Youth Congress, a wing of the Nationalist Congress Party, released the second list of its state office-bearers and district presidents here on Tuesday.

Mr Ahseen Mohammed was appointed convener of the state Nationalist Youth Congress Muslim Cell. Ms Renuka said Mr Raju Katoch was nominated district president of the youth wing of Kangra district while Mr Naveen Pathania was nominated president of Palampur subdivision.

Chamba, March 16
The Chamera Dam Oustees Welfare Committee has flayed the indifferent attitude of the Himachal Pradesh Government towards the left-out families whose land and houses had been submerged in the Chamera dam and were still a waiting rehabilitation.

In a press statement here yesterday, Mr Madan Rawat, Chairman of the committee, demanded jobs for the wards of the left-out families of the dam.

He alleged that the state government had so far failed to provide land for the rehabilitation of the uprooted families.

The Chamera oustees had been deprived of even their timber distribution rights and were unable to construct houses, he lamented.

He urged certain leaders of the ruling party to abstain from giving misleading statements about the Oustees.

Dharamsala, March 16
The Himachal Board of School Education has decided to cancel the examination of English paper of Class 10 at its examination centre at Government Senior Middle School in Nalagarh.

According to board officials, the decision has been taken on the recommendation of the SDM, Nalagarh, Mr K.C. Chaman. In a surprise visit to the centre the SDM had detected cases of gross irregularities and mass copying.

However, no decision has so far been taken by the board regarding the next date for holding the examination.

Chamba, March 16
The Chamba Welfare Association has demanded a probe into a recent bus accident which occurred near Bharmour township in Chamba district killing 46 passengers.

In a memorandum to the state Transport Minister, the association also sought a probe into other accidents which took place during a period of one year in the district. It also asked the minister to take remedial measures to curb frequent accidents in this mountainous district.

The association called upon the state government to provide a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the persons killed in the recent bus accident.

Una, March 16
The new system of the Excise Department to invite tenders for the auction of liquor vends failed yesterday when not a single contractor filed a tender to bid for the vends.

Liquor contractors participated in the open auction for Una district for 2001-2001, according to a press not issued by Mr Sanjay Bhardwaj, Assistant Taxation Commissioner, Una.
The auction fetched Rs 13.29 crore, he said.

Shimla, March 16
The Congress has urged the government to declare the entire state as drought-hit and make arrangements for supplying fodder for cattle to farmers.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Rangila Ram Rao, MLA, and chief spokesman of the PCC, said there was a famine-like situation in the state because of the drought. The state government had also admitted that the loss to the crops was about Rs 360 crore, he added.

Mr Rao said about 80 per cent of the standing crop had been destroyed due to the drought. He urged the government to take steps to provide drinking water.

He said the exposure made by “tehelka” had shown corruption in high places in the NDA government. Mr Rao demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee over the issue.

Shimla, March 16
Additional Home Secretary Lokender Singh Negi died at the PGI yesterday.
The Himachal Administrative Service (HAS) officers today condoled his death and urged the government to provide suitable relief to his family.

Kulu, March 16
Akshit (3) had a fatal fall today whenhe along with his family members was crossing the main bridge on the Beas on the Manali-Leh highway. The child fell through a gap on the bridge floor and succumbed to his injuries later at Mission Hospital, Manali.